Management of asenapine treatment in clinical practice: Recommendations from a panel of experts

Abstract

IntroductionThe choice of an antipsychotic should be based on bipolar disorder (BD) symptoms and the particular needs of each patient, as well as the adverse events potentially associated with treatment. Asenapine is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the management of type-I BD, with distinct pharmacokinetic and receptor affinity profiles. Material and methodsRecommendations document developed by a panel of experts with extensive experience in the use of asenapine in psychiatric care, including emergency department, hospital, and outpatient care. Recommendations were discussed in a single meeting and were based on both the clinical experience of the panel of experts and the empirical evidence provided in the scientific literature. ResultsThe present document describes the patient profile that best suits the pharmacodynamic characteristics of asenapine, as well as the advantages and limitations of the pharmacokinetics associated with the sublingual route. The document also addresses the main safety issues of asenapine and suggests interventions aimed at mitigating the most frequent adverse reactions associated with asenapine treatment. Finally, the article provides advice on dosing and overall management of asenapine treatment, including the combination with other treatments and the switch from other antipsychotics to asenapine. ConclusionsIn this recommendations document, we provide clinicians with guidance on the use of asenapine in real-life practice, including the identification of patients who best suit the characteristics of this antipsychotic.